Electric contact device



w. E. STUDSTILL. meme comm DEV-WE APPLICATl'ON FILED JULY 13,1920.

Patented June 28, 1921.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM E. STUDSTILL, 0F MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA.

ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

Application fi1ed July 13,

'Electric Contact Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to automatic train stops, and has particular application to an electric contact device of novel construction, which embodies among other features a wheel which is adapted to be carried by the train, supporting a plurality of sliding contacts to engage the rails of the trackway.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the combination, con struction and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure l is a view showing two of such devices forming the subject matter of my invention mounted upon the axle of a train, with one of the devices being in section.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 4 4c of Fig. 1.

Fig. Fig. 1.

The contacting device forming the subject matter of my invention is in the nature of a wheel, one or more of which are adapted to be mounted upon the stationary axle 24 of the tender, the wheels being indicated at 23. Each wheel is made up of two detachably connected sections as illustrated, and

3 a section taken on line 55 of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 28, 1921.

1920. Serial No. 396,035.

the confronting faces of each section are recessed, the recesses unitedly defining a circumferential series of pockets 27 opening at the periphery of the wheel, each pocket accommodating a sliding contact 28 equipped with an enlarged portion 29 arranged Within the pocket, while the contact proper is relatively small to project through the pocket and beyond the periphery of the wheel. The contacts are normally maintained projected by means of springs 30 arranged within the pockets. As above stated, the wheels are carried by the axle 24, and the sliding contacts are adapted to engage the energized rails 15 of the tracks, the contacting device being connected in a circuit (not shown), which is carried by the locomotive of which the axle 24 forms a part.

lVhile it is believed that from the foregoving description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim is An electric contact device of the character described comprising a wheel of two detachably connected sections, the confronting faces of said sections being recessed, said recesses unitedly defining a circumferential series of pockets opening at the periphery of the wheel, a sliding contact operating within each pocket, and a spring arranged within each pocket to normally hold the contacts projected beyond the pej iphery of the wheel for the purpose speciied.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

lVILLIAM E. STUDSTILL. 

